Sit Down on My Couch
By: Christine Hersom
(3 min read)
When I became a mother, it occurred to me – the saying is true – children do not come with an instruction manual. As I raised my children, my own childhood became more and more clear (a story for another time). I often parented from a place of guilt. I constantly apologized to my children for the mistakes I was making along the way while parenting them. I promised my children that I would buy them the “couch” they would need to overcome my parenting mistakes.
This brings me to today, and the name of my blog: Christine’s Couch. While I don’t believe that I can fix everybody, I hope that my blogs will resonate with each one of you in some way.
I began writing blogs for All Things Wellness last year. ATW is a health and wellness business owned by Peggy Willms. I was a cast member of her Season One namesake transformation docuseries show, Coach Peggy Real Time. It was quite a year to say the least. Self-discovery isn’t easy and neither is being pushed to infinity and beyond. One of my goals was to become a published writer. She offered me the opportunity to get my feet wet by blogging for her. I wrote several blogs until I became ill last Fall (one more story for another time). When I was offered my own column a few weeks ago, of course, I said, yes. Here we are, and I felt it might be time to properly introduce myself.
My name is Christine. I am a wife, mother, crazy Nonny (grandmother) to three beautiful grandchildren and…I am a writer. I have always wanted to be able to say that. I have been writing since I was young, but was too afraid to show anybody my work. We all are afraid of criticism or not being good enough. After being a part of my transformation journey last year, I have realized that we are good enough. We need to stop being afraid and just jump in.
When I sit on an actual couch, a few things come to mind: being in a counselor’s office, laughing with family and friends, and sitting in time out. It is also a place where I write my thoughts, feelings, and share my creative juices with the world. In all cases, “Christine’s Couch” made sense.
My writing has allowed me to reflect on my life, celebrate others, and show my love to my family. It has also allowed me to share the good, the bad, and the ugly in life and the world.
Over the past year, I have learned that nobody will take a chance on you if you won’t take a chance on yourself. Stepping into the uncomfortable zone of “putting” my work out there a year ago was difficult. I can tell you it does get easier.
My “couch” is a place of learning, trying new things, and reflection. We have all been asked the question, “If you could sit down and have a conversation with anybody, dead or alive, who would you choose?” For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to talk with Abraham Lincoln. His story speaks to me because he wasn’t afraid to try. He shocked people when he became a lawyer and certainly no one believed he would ever become President. Now I am following his lead. I am taking the leap and while I am opening myself to criticism, I am ready to meet it head-on.
When my grandchildren sit on my couch, I want our conversations to be about the things I tried not the things I wish I had.
I hope everyone will take the time to sit on my couch.
